Nishikori beats Raonic to win Tokyo title

Japan’s Kei Nishikori made the most of his home court advantage to capture his second career singles title on Sunday at the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, an ATP World Tour 500 event.

The world no. 17 defeated six-time ATP singles finalist Milos Raonic (Thornhill, ON) 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-0 to triumph at his home tournament. Raonic led 3-0 in the first set tiebreak after saving a pair of set points in his previous service game, only to have his lead disappear and see Nishikori jump out to an early lead. Raonic fought back to win the second set, but the Japanese took his game to another level in the decisive frame to deny the Canadian his fourth career title.

With 21-year-old Raonic taking on 22-year-old Nishikori in their first meeting, this was the youngest final in 58 tournaments on the ATP World Tour this year. En route to the final, Raonic earned his 40th singles victory of 2012 and also eclipsed the $1 million mark in prize money for the season. He also improves his position in the race to qualify for the prestigious Tour finals in London.

Raonic will continue his push towards London next week at the Shanghai Rolex Masters. He is seeded no. 12 and will play a qualifier in the opening round.

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